Know your enemy amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
The Greenday guitar tone for “Know your enemy”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Fender American Ultra Telecaster. Studio version, 21st Century Breakdown (2008), recorded at Ocean Way Hollywood with producer Butch Vig
Gibson Les Paul Junior (P-90 bridge pickup) → Boss Blues Driver → Modified Marshall Plexi ('Pete' amp)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 2 |
| Treble | 8 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Distortion (generic)
Used as a light boost/edge rather than full saturation — original used Boss Blues Driver which is more overdrive than distortion. Set your distortion pedal conservatively to avoid mud. If you can acquire a Blues Driver or TS-style OD, it will nail this tone more accurately.
Your DSL40CR is already Marshall-voiced, so it's a strong match for the Plexi-based original. The key adaptation is compensating for your Tele's single-coil-style humbuckers vs the original P-90's midrange bark — I've scooped mids harder (2 vs ~4-5 on original) and pushed treble high (8) to recreate that raw, cutting punk attack. Your Tele will naturally be brighter and tighter than a Les Paul Jr, so I've kept bass moderate at 5 to avoid flabbiness.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Marshall DSL40CR. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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